Trekking company?

[lwingram]

I am an 19 year old female and am going to be trekking to everest base camp with two other 19 year old females in the summer of 2009. Is it reccomended that we go with a company or would it be sufficient simply to hire a guide? If so where do we look to do this? We are all experienced trekkers and are hoping to do the trek at "grass roots level". Many Thanks

[yakshaver]

You can do the trek to EBC by yourselves. However, if it your first trek in the Himalayas (you say your're experienced trekkers...) I suggest you get a guide or a porter-guide.
You may enjoy carrying backpacks above 4000m altitude... I don't. I like to have a local help me. I sugest you employ a local. It makes for a more interesting trek, for me.

You may go to the section called Recommendations, Endorsments etc and find one of the recommended guides/porters, that some of us have employed over the years...

Cheers, and have a great trek.

[Lars]

My experience is that you are better off without a guide, as long as you are
going on one of the well traveled treks.

Trekkers who manage to find their own directions without a guide, and who
carry their own stuff, see themselves (ourselves), as a bit more real then the
ones who don't. It is the old whether you are a traveler or a tourist bit, only set
in the mountains.

[Sharon]

Everyone has their own opinion. I think that there are several good reasons for using a guide. Firstly I think it is important to assist in generating revenue into the economy in Nepal. Secondly having a guide will get you into cleaner lodges with better food. If you are ill it is nice to have someone to look out for you and assist with any complications. You will learn more about the customs and mountains. IN the Khumbu region when it was busy our guide would sometimes leave at 5 am to get a good room in the next Village.

I have been on 7 treks in Nepal and used these two guides. jangbu3@hotmail.com and pembal15@yahoo.com

I'm sure you will have a wonderful experience.

[kegarne]

It comes down a bit to your finances for the trek as well. If you are well off $$$$wise then it is great to hire a guide however it is more expensive than you would think.
If your budget is a bit tighter then there is really no need at all for a guide in either the Khumbu or the Annapurnas as the trails are well worn and it is almost impossible to get lost if you stick to the main paths.

[Petrus]

In your boots I woud hire two porter-guides to carry all your luggage, you would enjoy your trek that way much more. And, by doing that you would also blend in culturally better. Weathy people carrying their own stuff is something locals NEVER do. You would feel more comfortable in more ways than one...

[The Yakherd]

One GREAT advantage of hiring a guide is that he can tell you stuff about where you are going, what you are seeing, have you invited to homes, open for meeting with the locals, name birds and bees and tons of other stuff you never would have learned alone.

These things will for sure enrich your experience and broaden the view on the country you are walking in.

IF you are not intrested in walking with your face down, that is, and not seeing or learning anything.

I believe if you have that point of view, why fly halfway round the world at all?

To see it tha macho way, live the "Lone Ranger"-myth, would according to me be a hell of a bore after 9 days on the road..

Take the opportunity to walk with men who have climed the highest mountains on the planet, and learn from them.
It can only be great, with a good one.

PErsonally, I recommed Mingmar Sherpa of Highlander Nepal, Kathmandu.www.highlandernepal.com
GREAT guy!

Thats it.
Go with guide, thats my advice.

[RRainey]

Well first things first. I am not sure why no one noticed this, BUT have you considered wheather you really would like to hike during monsoon season?

[yakshaver]

Well first things first. I am not sure why no one noticed this, BUT have you considered wheather you really would like to hike during monsoon season?

Good point. While one can trek at that time, you need to consider a few things...